Foundations of Early Literature
From Oral to
Written
-Earliest literature was
passed by word of mouth
-Connected with
important activity (ex.
Singing, storytelling,
ritual, prayer, teaching,
or even magic)
-As civilizations
progressed, they began
writing
Early Forms of Literature (p. 30)
*Myths
*Heroic Literature
Sacred Verse
Wisdom/ Proverbs
Folk Tales
Myths
• Traditional stories
(often about gods/
goddesses)
• Serve to explain natural
phenomena, human
condition, or belief/
ritual
• Epic of Gilgamesh has
several Sumerian myths
in its plot
Heroic Literature
• Celebrates great deeds
• Gilgamesh, king of
Uruk, celebrated in
Sumerian legends
• Archetypes: hero,
battle, journey and
quest
Epic Poetry: a long
narrative poem in
elevated style
presenting
characters of high
position in a series
of adventures
which form an
organic whole to
their society